While wood finishes can transform a lifeless wooden object into a full of life decorative feature, they are quite often difficult to remove, especially those soaks into the grain.
It is important to choose the right finish based on your requirements. Below are 10 such finishes that could transform your humble piece of furniture to something truly royal-looking Interior.
These are the Best 10 Finishes for Your Wooden Furniture!
1. Varnish Wooden Finish
Varnishes are the more common forms of wood finishes. Varnishes are transparent or colored. Varnish is made up of oil, solvent, and resin. They are hard, durable and gives very good UV protection. It can be used on the interior and the exterior of the wooden object. It typically comes with a glossy finish and can also be customized to produce satin and semi-gloss finish by adding flattening agents. Varnishes dry slowly and their application over dyes gives them better protection.
2. Oil Wooden Finish
The natural oils present in the wood dries out as time passes. Oil finishes replace the natural oil and enhance the natural grain. In oil finish, the oil seeps into the wood and doesn’t merely form a layer on top of it. Oil wood finishes improve the appearance of unfinished wood. Oil finish makes the wood look richer and semi-transperent.
3. Wax Wooden Finish
Waxes finish are available in liquid, solid and stick form. The wax which is used for wood finishes are obtained from various vegetable, mineral and animal sources. They can be compose into different colors. They are hard or soft but even the hardest waxes are still softer than varnishes. They are protection against scratches and wear.
Wax finishes provides protection for only short term. Application of wax is easy but it requires multiple applications to get the desired effect. Once the application is done it requires buffing at the end.
4. Shellac Wooden Finish
Shellac is a warm colored finish for wood that is easy to apply with a rag, brush or sprayer. Multiple coats can be applied in one day as it dries quickly. Shellac is a natural finish that has been used for thousands of years. The color of shellac ranges from garnet to clear and it enhances the natural beauty of wood.
5. Wood Dye
Wood dyes may match the existing color of the wood or change the color of the surface. Dyes dissolved in solvents like mineral spirit, alcohol or water. Wood dye works in a similar manner that cloth dyes do.
They bring about color changes without hiding the grains. It can be applied with a brush, sponge or spray gun. Wood dyes are finishes that are both oil based and water based.
6. Wood Stain Finish
Wood stain finish improves the wood colour and the visibility of the grains. It is used to enhance the color of the woodwork and to achieve uniformity when there is inconsistency in the appearance of the wood.
Wood stain finish is best suited where the stain is darker than the colour of the wood. This finish does not protect the wood. Once the wood stain is applied, a final coat of wood finish must be applied to protect the wood.
7. Lacquer Wooden Finish
Lacquer is a modern wood finish that is commonly used on high end furniture. It is fast drying, impervious to water, and maintains its transparency as it ages. Lacquer finishes are popular because they don’t yellow with age, protect well against liquids, and require very little maintenance.
8. Water Based Wooden Finish
Water-based finishes have less odour than oil-based finishes. They give a very clean and clear finish. They contain acrylic resin along with urethane and alkyd. They are thin in consistency and dry easily.
After application, the liquid adheres to the surface as the water begins to evaporate. Water-based finishes give a natural appearance to the surface and are easy to maintain.
9. French Wooden Polish
French polishing is a wood finishing technique that results in a very high gloss surface, with a deep colour and chatoyancy. French polishing consists of applying many thin coats of shellac dissolved in denatured alcohol using a rubbing pad lubricated with one of a variety of oils
10. Wood Preserve
Wood preserve is used to prevent the wood from rotting and insect damage. It is available in various colors and with a matte or semi-gloss finish. It is used on the exterior of the wooden surface.
Now that you have an idea of the various types of wood finishes, choose one that suits your particular need, type of wood and color. Wood finishes that soak into the wood are difficult to remove, so choose one carefully that meets your requirement best.
